Friday, 12 September 2014

Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Looks at 8 Symptoms of a TBI

Every year, 1.5 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI),
ranging from mild concussions to more serious damage that results in
death. These injuries occur due to some kind of external force, such as a
bike rider hitting their head on the ground during a fall or a driver
hitting their head against the steering wheel when their air bags fail
to deploy. These impacts result in the brain physically moving inside
the skull.

Unfortunately, even seemingly minor accidents, like a football player
suffering a concussion after being tackled, can have long-lasting
effects. If you or a loved one experiences a TBI, it’s essential that
you get medical attention as soon as possible.

But how do you know if you’re suffering from a TBI? The symptoms
aren’t always obvious, but there are typically some tell-tale signs,
even in mild TBI cases. Here are some red flags you should look out for
after any accident in which you hit your head.

Loss of consciousness. Accidents that cause a TBI
often, but not always, result in a temporary loss of consciousness. In
less severe cases, a person might lose consciousness for a few seconds
or a few minutes, while in more severe cases, a person might lose
consciousness for several hours or even go into a coma. Keep in mind
that if you did not lose consciousness but are experiencing other TBI
symptoms, you should still see a doctor.

Sensory problems. TBIs can affect any of the senses,
and you may experience blurred vision, a bad or metallic taste in your
mouth, a tinny ringing in your ears, or even changes in the way you
smell the scents around you. You may also have dilated pupils and
sensitivity to light and sound.

Mood swings. Even mild TBIs can bring on
unpredictable mood swings or feelings of depression and anxiety. In
moderate to severe cases, a person might also feel confused or
belligerent, even if they’ve never been particularly aggressive before.

Memory and concentration problems. Unfortunately,
TBIs can cause long-term memory and concentration problems. Someone who
has experienced a TBI may have difficulty recalling things or focusing
on a task for an extended period of time.

Sleep problems. TBIs can cause a number of different
sleep-related problems, including fatigue and drowsiness, insomnia,
sleeping more than usual, or in extreme cases, inability to awaken from
sleep.

Dizziness or discoordination. If you’re feeling
dizzy or are unable to keep your balance after experiencing a blow to
the head, you are likely suffering from a TBI.

Persistent headache. As you can imagine, intense and persistent headaches are often a symptom when the brain physically moves inside the skull.

Nausea. People who experience mild TBIs often report
feeling nauseated, and some actually vomit. Moderate to severe TBIs can
result in repeated nausea or vomiting.

Keep in mind that you will not necessarily experience all of these
symptoms if you suffer from a TBI, and while some symptoms may appear
immediately after the accident, others may not become noticeable for
weeks. It’s always a good idea to seek medical attention after you’ve
experienced any kind of head injury, even if you don’t think you have a
TBI.

If you find out that you or a loved one has suffered a TBI and you
know that your injury was caused by the actions of negligent third
party—such as a driver who crashed into you in a Tampa car accident or a manufacturer who made a defective helmet—consult a traumatic brain injury lawyer by calling the Rivas Law Group at 877-299-5539.
If another person or organization is liable for your injury, you are
entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses and
suffering.